MET Ethics Flashcards
What is an ethical issue?
When participants are not treated appropriately during a study
What are ethical guidelines?
Rules for conducting research
In place to prevent ethical issues arising
What is the BPS?
Stands for British Psychological Society
Produce the code of ethics, which are guidelines for professional psychologists - professional standards, guidance for conducting research appropriately, reference point for research malpractice
What is the ethical guideline on informed consent?
Make participants aware of anything that might affect their willingness to participate in a study
Not necessary for observations or field experiments in public places where people expect to be observed
Under 16s need parents to sign on their behalf
In schools, heads can give consent if the research involves activities that would usually take place in school
What is the ethical guideline for deception?
Active (misleading by what is done or said) deception should be avoided wherever possible
Deception might be justified if there is no harm to participants or a strong scientific/medical justification
What is the ‘validity-ethics trade-off’?
Getting informed consent can reduce validity
Validity can require deception
What is the ethical guideline for protection from harm?
Participants should experience no more stress than in everyday life
Need to monitor stress during experiments
Provide reassurance/counselling after studies
What is the ethical guideline for debriefing?
Should complete participants understanding of the study
Explain reasons for deception
Assess stress and need for reassurance/counselling
What is the ethical guideline on the right to withdraw?
Can withdraw during a study
Made aware of this and reminded during study
Right to withdraw data after study
What is the ethical guideline on privacy and confidentiality?
No names or clues that make someone or an institution identifiable
Use of pseudonyms in case studies
How did Asch, Zimbardo and Milgram get away with their studies? What was the consequence?
Within existing ethical guidelines of the APA
Reputation of psychology suffered
Ethical guidelines were tightened by 1980s
What are the three ways in which informed consent can be dealt with when it is not obtained at the start of a study?
Presumptive consent - from other people in the target population
Prior general consent - give consent to be deceived at some point
Retrospective consent - give permission to use data afterwards
